7 MPs to watch this parliament

Seven MPs who could be set to make their marks on this new parliament. Watch this space.

Laura Pidcock

The Labour MP for North West Durham has already made a name for herself by attacking the House of Commons for its “archaic” nature and the fact that it “reeks of the establishment and power”, according to the Independent. Her maiden speech in which she made the striking remarks did exceptionally well on social media. Having already made her mark on parliament, the question is how far will she go and what will she do next?

Chuka Umunna

Umunna served in Ed Miliband’s shadow cabinet and was elected to parliament first in 2010. After Miliband’s resignation in 2015 Umunna ran for the leadership and then withdrew his nomination. He was re-elected in 2017 and has already made a name for himself this parliament by trying to attach an amendment to the new government’s Queen’s Speech to ensure that the UK remains in the single-market, as reported by the Guardian. The bid ultimately failed, but this former shadow minister and chair of VoteLeaveWatch looks certain to be a key player in opposition to Brexit as the country continues on the process of leaving the union.

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Jo Johnson

Jo’s brother Boris Johnson – you may have heard of him – is certainly a key figure to watch, but Jo himself is also a crucial member of parliament to keep an eye on in the coming years. A report from the Spectator says that David Cameron’s biographer thinks the “other brother” is “Definitely Prime Ministerial material”.

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Christine Jardine

Jardine won the key Lib Dem target seat of Edinburgh West this June. One of twelve Lib Dem MPs, she is now the party’s spokesperson for Culture, Media and Sport. She has also stood for parliament before: in 2015 against Alex Salmond in Gordon and on other occasions for the Scottish parliament, showing she certainly has ambition. In addition, she has worked as a coalition government adviser, according to the Herald, and as a journalist.

With only 12 MPs in parliament, there is certainly room for Jardine and other newly elected Lib Dems to make their mark.

Jared O’Mara

If the name rings a bell it’s because O’Mara won his seat from Nick Clegg in the recent election. New MPs who win seats from big figures in other parties will always undoubtedly get strong media interest. O’Mara managed to beat the former Lib Dem leader and one-time deputy prime minister. What next for the man who beat a former deputy PM? Watch this space.

Tommy Shepard

After the SNP’s Angus Robertson lost his seat to the Conservative in June, the race was on to find a replacement Westminster leader for the party. Shepard put his name forward but later withdrew, according to the BBC. Nonetheless, it seems he has the ambition to go far and is certainly one MP to keep an eye on in this parliament.

The Conservative Chief Whip is certainly one MP to keep an eye on. With the government's majority with the DUP so small, Williamson is a vital component of the Tory parliamentary machine. The New Statesman has reported that he is seen by some as a future Tory leader. Little known to the wider public, could Williamson take on big beasts Davis, Johnson and others to take the party's crown?

Richard Wood

Richard Wood is a Masters student in Political Research at the University of Aberdeen and is Head of Media for campaign-group TalkPolitics. Other than politics, he is passionate about travel, running, and writing, as well as all things space-related.